If you own a home in Adelaide, the truth is your roof takes more punishment than any other part of your house. Summer days regularly push past 40°C, turning roof spaces into furnaces.. Winter storms can easily tear through terracotta roof tiles.
Salty coastal winds can chew away at galvanised steel roofs from under 10 years of installation. We’ve seen this on roofs at Port Adelaide, Henley Beach, and even Glenelg. It’s little wonder so many families are increasingly asking: what are the best types of metal roofing that are ideal for Australian conditions?
Five metal roofing materials dominate the Australian market, including Colorbond, Zincalume, galvanised steel, aluminium, and copper. Choosing the right one matters, as a roof isn’t something you want to replace twice.
This guide breaks down the different types of metal roofing, explains how they suit Adelaide conditions, and helps you weigh the pros and cons. With over a century of roofing experience in SA, we’ve seen it all. So, these are lessons from local roofs that have lasted (and failed).
Tiles look nice, but they don’t always cope well in Australia. In heatwaves, tiles crack. In storms, they lift. And over time, repointing them becomes a never-ending chore.
By contrast, metal roofing has become the standout option across Australia. These metal roofs are:
• Built for heat: Uncoated tile roofs can climb to 75°C under summer sun. Metal roofs reflect heat far better (especially in light Colorbond® shades like Surfmist®), cutting cooling costs.
• Storm resistance: Steel roofing sheets interlock, meaning fewer loose pieces in a blow.
• Light weight: Tiles weigh 60–80kg per square metre. Metal roofing panels average 10–15kg, reducing stress on your structure.
• Design choice: From corrugated roofing to standing seam roof systems, homeowners can pick modern or heritage looks without sacrificing strength.
If you’re weighing up between tiles and steel, it’s worth asking whether a metal roof is more energy efficient than tile. Metal roofs reflect up to 70% of solar radiation compared to traditional tiles, which typically absorb and retain heat.
Homeowners often see 10-25% reductions in summer energy bills after switching to metal roofing.
Colorbond® is hands-down the most popular metal roofing material in Australia, and for good reason. Manufactured by BlueScope®, it’s been tested in some of the harshest climates across the country, including coastal, arid, and alpine regions.
Colorbond® consistently proves itself against searing summers, sudden storms, and salty air. It comes in more than 20 designer shades, with Southerly, Basalt, Woodland Grey®, and Surfmist® among the favourites in South Australian homes.
Unlike plain Zincalume®, it offers a baked-on paint finish that resists chipping, peeling, and fading for decades. Most importantly, it strikes the perfect balance: it’s more durable than cheaper steels, but far more affordable than luxury metals like copper.
When families ask why we recommend it, we point them to the five top reasons to consider a metal roof replacement. Colorbond® ticks each one.
Pros:
• Lifespan of 45 years or more with minimal upkeep
• Huge colour range suited to Adelaide homes and styles
• Advanced coatings protect against chipping, peeling, and fading
• Energy efficient with lighter colours reflecting summer heat
• Comes with up to 45-year BlueScope® warranty and 20-year watertight warranty from Roof & Render SA
• Lighter weight reduces stress on roof structures compared to tiles
Cons:
• Costs more upfront than galvanised or Zincalume®
• Can dent under heavy hail if thinner sheets are used
• Professional installation required for full warranty cover
Zincalume® combines zinc, aluminium, and silicon to create a coating that resists corrosion far better than old galvanised steel. It retains its silver finish for decades and typically lasts around 25–30 years with minimal upkeep.
Many builders like it for modern or industrial-style homes inland. But if you’re near Adelaide’s coast, salty air can eat into it quickly. Homeowners in Glenelg, Brighton, or Semaphore often find that Zincalume® doesn’t perform as long as promised.
Pros:
• Affordable mid-range option
• Lasts 25–30 years inland
Modern metallic look
Cons:
• Struggles in salty coastal areas
• Limited colour choices compared to Colorbond®
Galvanised steel is the old workhorse of Adelaide roofs. It’s cheap and was widely used for decades, especially on older cottages and sheds.
With regular painting, you might stretch it to 15–20 years, but once the zinc coating wears thin, rust takes over quickly. We still see plenty of galvanised sheets in suburbs like Semaphore and Port Adelaide, and most are due for replacement.
For family homes, it’s simply not durable enough.
Pros:
• Cheapest upfront cost
• Easy to source
Cons:
• Rusts fast without constant repainting
• Short 15–20 year lifespan
• Rarely used on new homes today
Aluminium roofing is light, strong, and a real performer in coastal suburbs. Unlike steel, it won’t rust in Glenelg, Henley Beach, or Port Noarlunga, where salty spray eats into other metals. It also reflects sunlight well, which helps reduce cooling loads in summer.
Another plus is that it’s fully recyclable and often contains recycled content. The drawback is price. Aluminium roofing typically costs 20% more than steel options, which is why many homeowners still opt for Colorbond®.
Pros:
• Excellent for coastal areas
Reflects heat well
• Environmentally friendly
Cons:
• Higher upfront cost
Copper sits at the top end of roofing materials. It starts as a shiny orange and gradually develops a green patina that many heritage homeowners prize.
With a lifespan of 60–100 years, copper outlasts almost everything else. It’s virtually maintenance-free. But the cost is significant, two to three times more than steel, making it rare in suburban Adelaide.
Other premium options like titanium or stainless steel exist, but they’re mainly seen on commercial buildings or high-end architecture rather than everyday family homes.
Pros:
• Longest lifespan (60–100 years)
• Striking patina effect
• Low maintenance
Cons:
• Very expensive
• Rare in standard residential builds
When you weigh them up, every alternative has a gap. Zincalume® struggles near the coast, galvanised is too short-lived, aluminium is costly, and copper is out of reach for most families. Colorbond® sits in the sweet spot. It offers over 45 years of life, a wide colour palette tested for Adelaide conditions, and warranties of up to 45 years.
That’s why more Australian homeowners are switching from tile and galvanised roofs to Colorbond® during renovations.
So how do you pick the right metal roofing system? It’s not just about budget. Here are the real-world factors we talk through with Adelaide clients at Roof and Render SA:
Adelaide’s climate zones vary a lot. In inland suburbs like Elizabeth, Gawler, and Mount Barker, rainfall is lower and salt exposure minimal. So, Zincalume® can last 25–30 years with little trouble. But in coastal suburbs like Glenelg, Henley Beach, and Semaphore, salt spray corrodes Zincalume® in under 15 years.
That’s why builders recommend Colorbond® with a marine-grade coating in those areas. Aluminium performs even better on the coast, but it’s more expensive than Colorbond®.
Upfront, galvanised steel might save you $20–$30 per square metre over Colorbond®. However, factor in the need to repaint every 5–7 years, patch rust, and replace the entire unit after 15–20 years. Then, you’re thousands out of pocket.
Colorbond®, by contrast, costs more initially but lasts 30–45 years with almost no repainting. Over a 40-year span, the life-cycle cost of Colorbond® is 30–40% lower than galvanised. For families planning to stay put, the maths clearly favours Colorbond®.
Metal roofing isn’t just “one look.” Adelaide homeowners often choose between:
• Corrugated metal roofing: The traditional rippled sheets, popular in heritage areas like Norwood and Unley.
• Standing seam metal roofing: Sleek vertical seams, perfect for modern builds in places like Burnside or Glenunga.
• Stone-coated metal roofing: Mimics clay tiles while giving steel strength. Less common, but works for homeowners wanting a “tile look” without tile issues.
Colorbond® covers all these styles, plus comes in 20+ shades, including the SA-favourites Southerly, Basalt, Woodland Grey®, and Surfmist®. That level of choice doesn’t exist in Zincalume® or galvanised.
Galvanised steel needs repainting roughly every 5 years, gutter cleaning every year, and regular rust checks. Skip it, and you’ll have leaks in under 10 years.
Zincalume® needs far less maintenance inland, but salt deposits must be washed off quarterly near the coast. Metal roofing Colorbond® requires a simple hose down every 12 months with no repainting or rust scrubbing.
Over 30 years, that’s the difference between hundreds of hours of upkeep versus a few afternoons with the garden hose.
Many Adelaide homes still hide asbestos sheeting under old tile or galvanised roofs. When we strip roofs in areas like Salisbury or older parts of Port Adelaide, we often uncover asbestos insulation or brittle cement sheeting. Leaving it undetected is a health risk, and leaks accelerate its deterioration.
During replacements, we follow strict licensed procedures for asbestos removal, which keeps families safe and ensure compliance. Homeowners often don’t know the problem exists until they see the roof stripped back. That’s why a professional inspection matters. You don’t just choose a new roof; you fix underlying hazards.
If you’re still on the fence, here’s why most Adelaide homeowners swap tiles for metal:
• Long life: Colorbond® and Zincalume® offer 30–45 years of service.
• Low fuss: Minimal upkeep compared to tile repointing.
• Energy efficient: Light colours reflect, darker shades absorb, giving choice.
• Fire and hail resistance: Crucial in SA summers.
• Weight savings: Lighter roofs reduce structural stress.
One overlooked benefit is safety. Old tile roofs often hide asbestos underlayers. When we handle replacements, we follow licensed procedures for asbestos removal during re-roofing, ensuring your safety.
You don’t need a salesman to tell you why metal roofs work. The proof’s already scattered across Adelaide suburbs. We’ve seen a handful firsthand with the families we’ve helped.
“Roof and Render helped a couple in Glenunga rip off their tired terracotta tiles. They went with Surfmist® Colorbond®. Within the first summer, their cooling bills dropped by around 20%. Lighter metal shades reflect heat instead of baking it in, and that small change made their home far more comfortable when the mercury was climbing.”
“Down at Hallett Cove, as narrated by a homeowner on Reddit, who wanted something sharper. They went for a standing seam metal roof in Basalt®. Three winters later, no leaks, no shifting panels, and it still looks like it was installed yesterday. That clean vertical seam design really suits the coastal views.”
“Over in Prospect, renovators were stuck with cracked galvanised sheets. They didn’t want the hassle of tiles again. So, they chose metal tile roofing. It kept the heritage look the street demanded, but without the constant repointing and breakages.”
“Not every metal option is welcomed equally, though. Some councils push back on bare Zincalume® roofs, mainly because neighbours complain about the direct light glare. Zincalume® is essentially Colorbond® without the baked-on colour coat. Same base steel, just cheaper and silver. It will last a couple of decades inland. But near the coast or in tightly packed streets, most people prefer Colorbond® for the colours and reduced reflection.”
For those right on the waterfront, you can even order Colorbond® in stainless steel. It’s pricey, but for places like Henley Beach or Port Noarlunga, where salt spray eats everything, it’s a worthwhile investment.
• Metal roofs are 100% recyclable, unlike broken tiles.
• A correctly installed metal roof can cut cooling energy use by up to 45% and 30% more cooling cost cuts if you include a solar roof vent
• BlueScope® has put over 12,000 Colorbond® panels through a 50-year test across various sites in Australia.
• Metal shingles, once rare, are now growing in popularity for premium homes.
Replacing a roof is a once-in-a-generation decision. Adelaide’s climate demands more than pretty tiles. Types of metal roofing Australian homes rely on are designed to perform, protect, and last.
That’s why families keep turning to Roof & Render SA. With a 100-year reputation across South Australia, four generations of experience, and the state’s largest Colorbond® display centre, we’ve seen what works and what doesn’t.
Ready to see metal roof options up close? Visit our showroom at 2/22 O’Sullivan Beach Road, Lonsdale, SA. Call 08 8451 6116, email office@roofandrender.com.au, or contact us online.
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Fill in the form below to book a free consultation at our Colorbond Showroom in Lonsdale.
We will give you a call within 24 hours to organise a time that suits you.
